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Obituaries were submitted by Judy Simpson unless otherwise noted.
Mrs. George W. UPSHAW (1)
April 15, 1869
Clinton Public & Central Transcript
DIED.—In this city, on the 4th inst., of consumption, after an illness of three months, ADDIE, wife of Geo. W. UPSHAW, Jr., aged 21 years. (Peoria papers please copy.)
Note: From the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index:
UPSHAW, GEORGE W. PARKER, ADDIE
03-19-1866 PEORIA
Mrs. George W. UPSHAW (2)
October 23, 1885
Clinton Public
Died, at her home in Mackinaw, on the 15th of October, Mrs. Mary E. UPSHAW. Mrs. Upshaw will be remembered as the eldest daughter of J. J. ROBINSON, of this city. She was a leading member of society and will be greatly missed by her many friends.
Note: From the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index:
UPSHAW, GEORGE W. ROBINSON, MARY E.
01-13-1870 DEWITT
Benjamin Franklin UPTON
February __, 1928
Paper Unknown
Benjamin Franklin UPTON died Wednesday morning at his home in Midland City following a lingering illness.
He was born January 14, 1863, east of Waynesville, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron UPTON. He was married at Waynesville to Miss Mary KAST, January 19, 1892, who died in 1903.
Mr. Upton was again married to Miss Mary PEASLEY, October 24, 1910, who died July 28, 1926.
He is survived by the following children: Mrs. Ella Bolinger, of Tremont; Opal, of Colorado Springs; George, Jesse, Roy, Asa, Alta, Garnetta, Lucille, Homer and Edna, of Midland City. One son, Arthur, died in the World War, and one daughter, Angeline, is also deceased.
Services were held at 2:30 o'clock Friday afternoon, in charge of Rev. H.S. Mavity. Burial in the Evergreen cemetery.
Note: Handwritten date on newspaper clipping is February 22, 1928.
Mrs. Benjamin Franklin UPTON
April 17, 1903
Clinton Register
Mrs. Frank UPTON, who had been ill several weeks with a complication of diseases, died at her home in Waynesville Monday at 7:15 a.m. She was a daughter of John KRAFT, who resides in Clinton. Nancy Kraft was born in Harrison county, Mo., April 14, 1870, reared in the locality of Waynesville, and married Benjamin F. UPTON at Clinton, Ill., Jan. 19, 1893. To this union seven children were born, five of whom survive. They are: Jesse, aged 9; Arthur, 7; Nelly, 5; George, 3; and a babe about 3 months old. Funeral services were held Tuesday at the M. E. church at 10 a.m., Rev. Roush officiating. Interment in Evergreen cemetery. She was an estimable woman and a member of the Christian church at Rock Creek.
James William UPTON
September __, 1927
Paper Unknown
JAMES W. UPTON SUCCUMBS AT ATLANTA.
James W. UPTON, for many years a resident of Waynesville, died Monday night at the home of his sister, Mrs. Abe Vannoy, four miles west of Atlanta. He had been living with his sister this summer, assisting with the farm work and had apparently been in good health until Monday when he suffered a paralytic stroke.
Mr. Upton was 76 years old and had spent practically all his life in this community. He married Miss Matilda JONES who survives with nine children: Orville E., James Jr., Wilham Upton and Mrs. Jesse Ruble, of Waynesville; Mrs. Lina Foote, Atlanta; Mrs. Ella Reed, of Detroit; Mrs. Darrel Cannon, of Chicago; and Mrs. Stella Kraft, of Atlanta. He is survived by one brother, Frank Upton, Midland City; two sisters, Mrs. George Hoover, Mansfield, and Mrs. Abe Vannoy, of Atlanta.
Funeral services were held at the family home in Waynesville, Thursday afternoon, in charge of Rev. H. S. Mavity, pastor of the Christian church. Burial was in the Evergreen cemetery.
Note: Illinois State Archives, Illinois Death Certificates Database, 1916-1950 for James William Upton lists his death as September 5, 1927. Handwritten on the newspaper obituary is the date September 9, 1927. His tombstone lists the death year as 1928.
Franklin VANCE
March 22, 1895
Clinton Public
After four years of severe suffering from Bright's disease, eighteen months of which he was confined to his home, Franklin VANCE died at his home farm in Rutledge township on last Monday. For more than a year past, his friends almost hourly expected his death, but it was his lot to linger and suffer. The great, strong man of a few year ago was reduced to the helplessness of a child.
Franklin Vance was born in West Virginia. When he was but a lad his parents moved to Illinois and settled in Rutledge township. The Vance family was noted for energy, and as the boys grew to manhood they became owners of farms. Franklin Vance owned three hundred and twenty acres of fine prairie land and quite a bit of timber. His farm was one of the best improved in Rutledge, his residence and barns being modern and substantial.
In 1875 he was married to Miss Jennie, daughter of the late Hon. William FULLER, and to them four children—three girls and one boy—were born. Mr. Vance served as supervisor from Rutledge township for several terms, and he made an excellent member of the county board. He was a just man in his dealings and though a strong Democrat he never allowed politics to bias his judgment in his official duties. He leaves an estate worth about $30,000, but he wisely provided in his will that his wife should have control of everything till her children became of age, and then during her life she was to divide with them the income from the property. The funeral services were held at the church near the Vance home, on Tuesday afternoon, after which the remains were brought to Clinton for interment in Woodlawn.
James VANCE
June 19, 1908
Clinton Register
BURIED AT WAYNESVILLE.
James VANCE, who was killed by lightning at Galatea, Colorado, was brought to Waynesville, his old home, where [his] funeral was held Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. D. Murphy at the M. E. church. Deceased was born near Atlanta September 21, 1845, and lived 63 years, 9 months and 10 days. He served three years in the Civil War and was married to Martha A. LUNDY of Atlanta, August 13, 1867. To them were born five children, four of whom are dead. His wife and a son, Robert, survive him. He was a member of the M. E. church and of the G. A. R. He moved to Waynesville in 1889 and to Colorado one year ago.
Mrs. Eunice VANDERVORT
February 1, 1889
Clinton Public
Mrs. Eunice VANDERVORT, who died on Tuesday last, at the old family seat of the Vandervort's, four miles east of Clinton, was nearly sixty-five years of age, and up to this ripe age had escaped the fatal malady. Death has certainly been relentless in his visitations to this family, as scarcely a week has elapsed since the burial of Wellington VANDERVORT, whose loss was a considerable one to the business interests of DeWitt county, as he was a home man and gave the benefit of his transactions to Clinton's channels of trade. Mrs. Vandervort will be remembered as one of the pioneer women of DeWitt county.
John VANDERVORT
January 20, 1882
Clinton Public
John VANDERVORT, an old and staunch citizen of Harp township, died at his home last Sunday morning, after an illness of nine days. He was attacked with a cold which resulted in lung fever. Mr. Vandervort was born in Claremont county, Ohio, in the year 1815, and at the time of his death he was only sixty-seven years old. Twenty-five years ago he came from Ohio and settled in Harp township. Mr. Vandervort was as honorable a man as lived in DeWitt county and as sound a Republican as ever went to the ballot-box. He was buried in Woodlawn cemetery on Tuesday afternoon by the Masonic fraternity of this city, the services being conducted by Rev. D. McArthur.
Wellington VANDERVORT
January 25, 1889
Clinton Public
Wellington VANDERVORT departed this life at midnight last Saturday night [19 January 1889],and on Monday afternoon was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, the Masonic order, of which he was an honored member, conducting the ceremonies. It was a sad death and unexpected, and because of this it has cast a gloom over the neighborhood in which he lived and among his large circle of friends in this city. Less than three weeks ago Wellington Vandervort was taken down with the measles, and while he lay sick four members of his household were stricken down, three of them with measles. So anxious was Mr. Vandervort that his aged mother and his little daughter should be shielded from contagion that he had a tenant house fitted up for his use during his sickness, and there he and his brother Hamlin lay in adjoining rooms. The child and the servant girl afterward took the disease. Mr. Vandervort also insisted on his wife not coming into the house where he was for he was afraid she would carry the contagion into his own home and endanger his mother, who was afflicted with paralysis. He had no fears for himself, for he was a strong, healthy man, and felt confident of his recovery from the measles.
On Tuesday night of last week while the boy who attended him and Hamlin was asleep Wellington got out of bed, put on his cold boots and clothes, and then went to the open door to get a breath of fresh air. The probabilities are that he must have been slightly delirious when he did this, for to this time he had acted with prudence and care. The next morning his physician, Dr. DOWNEY, was hastily summoned, for a change for the worse had taken place in Wellington's condition. This was a surprise to the doctor, for he had not the least idea that there was any danger. When the doctor learned of Wellington's exposure he feared for the worse. At that time Wellington was delirious, and he remained in that condition till his death.
Wellington Vandervort was born in Miami township, Clermont county, Ohio, on the 16th of November, 1842, and was forty-six years, two months and three days old when he died. In November, 1857, his father moved to this county and settled on the farm which his wife and sons have occupied since his death. On the 7th of October, 1875, Wellington was married to Miss Ida CROW, and one daughter has blessed their union.
Wellington Vandervort was a man who stood in the front rank among men in his township. He was public-spirited in everything that would advance the interests of his township and the county. Although living between three and four miles from this city he was intensely Clinton in every thing, and the progress of this city was as dear to his heart as was the advancement of his own township. Such men are a blessing in any community, and their death leaves a blank hard to fill.
Submitted by Bob Halsey
George VANDEVENTER
September 2, 1898
Clinton Register
PROMINENT FARMER DIES.
George Vandeventer, of Rutledge Township, Dies of Kidney Trouble.
Early yesterday morning George VANDEVENTER, one of the most prominent young farmers of Rutledge township died at his home of kidney trouble. Mr. Vandeventer was confined to his bed about two weeks ago with a bad attack of kidney disease, and gradually grew worse, baffling all medical skill, until death claimed him. The deceased was about forty years old and was regarded as one of the most honest, energetic, and upright men in Rutledge township. He leaves a wife and four children to mourn his early death. Mr. Vandeventer was born near the farm which he lived on when he died. The funeral will take place from the Rucker Chapel this afternoon at 2 o'clock, being conducted by Rev. Robertson, of Wapella.
Note: George was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Arbogast) Vandeventer.
James VANDEVENTER
August 27, 1886
Clinton Public
James VANDEVENTER, an old resident of Rutledge township, died at his home yesterday in the prime of life, he being less than fifty-five years old. His parents came from Tennessee, and in 1836 settled in Rutledge township. James Vandeventer took a prominent part in the social and moral development of the neighborhood in which he lived.
--------------------September 3, 1886
Clinton Public
Died at his residence in Rutledge township, on Thursday, October 26th, James VANDEVENTER, after a protracted illness of several weeks. His funeral occurred at his home on Friday at ten o'clock, service by Rev. Robert TAYLOR, of Leroy. The Masonic fraternity had charge of the remains and they were taken to the Leroy grave yard and laid to rest.
James Vandeventer was born in 1827. He settled in what is now Rutledge township in the year 1831 and has lived in the same neighborhood ever since until his death. He married Elizabeth DAVIS in December, 1847, who besides two children, a son and daughter, survives him. Widows RUTLEDGE and WILSON, of Clinton, are sisters of his. He also has a brother in this state who is a minister, and a sister, Mrs. HURLEY, in Iowa. He has lived a consistent Christian life for nearly forty years, being a member of the C. P. Church during all that time. He has also been a member of the Masonic fraternity at De Witt, Illinois, for nearly or quite twenty-five years.
At the time he was converted and started to live a Christian life, the country was thinly settled and good earnest Christian workers were scarce, and he feeling it was his duty to benefit others commenced warning the people to flee the wrath to come. He, as early back as our correspondent can remember, has been an active Sunday-school teacher. We remember well how his countenance used to brighten when we were boys, when he would find us attentive while he would be explaining the Sabbath-school lesson, or warning us of the dangers of sin. We often think that men and women, growing up to manhood and womanhood under the influence of such active, zealous Christian men, never know how much of the better part of their characters are due to such influence.
In the death of James Vandeventer, his wife and children lost a loving husband and father, society a good neighbor, the church a good worker, and the Masonic fraternity a good member. He has fought his battles, finished his mission here on earth and gone to his reward. As he has thrown off his mantle, some one must pick it up and wear it. The Sabbath-school and church must have their active workers. Who will take his place? Let some one attempt it and may God bless the effort.
Thomas VANDEVENTER
October 20, 1899
Clinton Public
HELPED BUILD RUCKER CHAPEL.
Thomas Vandeventer, Who Assisted in Organizing DeWitt County, Died at Leroy.
Thomas VANDEVENTER, one of the early settlers of DeWitt county, died Thursday at his home in Leroy at the advanced age of 78 years. He was born in Tennessee and came to Illinois in 1830, and had since resided in the north part of DeWitt and southern part of McLean counties, where he owned over 300 acres of fine farm land.
Mr. Vandeventer was married on Jan. 21, 1841, to Elizabeth ARBOGAST, the ceremony being performed by Robert H. POOL, a local minister of the M. E. church, who then traveled through the country on horseback. Six children were born to them, three having since died. The children are: James VANDEVENTER, born in 1841 and died in 1881; an infant who died in infancy; Daniel F., born in 1845, now lives south of Leroy; Thomas M., born Aug. 4, 1849, now lives in DeWitt county; Mary E., wife of Edward CAYTON, lives south of Leroy; George L., born in 1852 and died in 1898.
Mr. Vandeventer took an active part in the organization of DeWitt county in 1840 and at that time was personally acquainted with every inhabitant of the county. In early life Mr. Vandeventer joined the Baptist church and held his membership with that denomination until after his marriage, when he joined the Methodist church under the preaching of Rev. Sam MARTINE, at the residence of David WOODARD. This small gathering of people continued to hold meeting in private homes until sufficient strength was developed to build Rucker Chapel, in which Mr. Vandeventer held a membership for thirty-three years. Funeral services will be held at Rucker Chapel, Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by Rev. Thornton CLARK, of Leroy.
Mrs. Thomas VANDEVENTER
November 19, 1909
Clinton Register
DEATH'S HARVEST MORE BOUNTIFUL.
Ripened Sheaves Have Been Gathered By the Grim Harvester;
ELIZABETH VANDEVENTER.
Mrs. Elizabeth VANDEVENTER died Sunday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E. J. CAYTON, in Rutledge township, at 10:15 o'clock. She was one of the oldest residents of DeWitt county, having been born in Clark county, Ohio, November 20, 1817. She came to Illinois as a girl with her parents, Henry ARBOGAST and wife, and resided for a time at what is now the site of Parnell. Her marriage to Thomas VANDEVENTER took place January 21, 1841, and they became the parents of six children, three of whom are living, viz: D. F. VANDEVENTER, of Le Roy; F. M. VANDEVENTER, of Farmer City; and Mrs. Cayton. The following brothers and sisters also survive: D. H. ARBOGAST and Mrs. Mary McKINLEY, of Farmer City; and Enos ARBOGAST, of Saybrook.
After the death of her companion, which occurred at Le Roy on October 9, 1899, "Grandma" VanDeventer lived with her children. Last Spring her health failed and she became bedfast, never afterward being able to get about, though she improved slightly at times. She was a devoted member of the M. E. church from girlhood and her religion was a great solace and help in her long illness. She was not only one of the oldest inhabitants but also one of the earliest settlers.
Funeral was held Tuesday at the Vance church in Rutledge township, conducted by Rev. G. E. Scrimger. Burial was in Oak Grove cemetery near Le Roy.
Note: F. M. VanDeventer should be T. M. VanDeventer; and her husband died October 19th, not October 9th.
Robert VANDORN
April 26, 1895
Clinton Public
TIRED OF LIFE.
He Loved Whisky and Lost His Wife and Children.
Robert VANDORN formerly lived in Dwight, Illinois, where he had a wife and two or three children. Even in Dwight men become drunkards, and Vandorn drank so much that he left wife and children about one year ago and came to this county, where he engaged as a farm hand to young William ARMSTRONG, who rents Mr. Hiram STAYMATES farm in Barnett township, down near Hallsville. Vandorn was an intelligent man and quite a reader, and as a worker on the farm no hand could be more faithful. So long as he remained at the farm he was all right, but let him come to Clinton or go into Hallsville and he was as sure to go home drunk as that the sun would rise and set. For the past few weeks Vandorn had been drinking deeply.
While Vandorn was yet a married man, never having been divorced from wife and the mother of his children who lived at Dwight, yet he was in correspondence with another woman who, it seems, refused to have anything more to do with him or enter into any arrangements for matrimony while he yet had a wife. This refusal made Vandorn more despondent and increased his bitterness against the wife whom he had deserted. In one of his bitter moods last Saturday, when he was recovering from a drunken debauch, he wrote a letter setting forth his grievances against this wife and telling that that the burden of life was too great for him to bear, then he put an end to his life.
Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong left home Saturday afternoon to spend a couple of days visiting. A younger brother of Mr. Armstrong was the only one in the house with Vandorn. Mr. Armstrong kep a loaded revolver in his room. This Vandorn got and then going into the parlor he sat on a chair and then placing the weapon at his forehead fired the fatal shot. Young Armstrong heard the report of the pistol and going into the parlor he found Vandorn in the last agonies of death. Coroner JONES was notified and an inquest was held, resulting in a verdict of suicide. Another unfortunate had crossed the river of death through the influence of strong drink.
D. V. VAN DRUVER
October 26, 1883
Clinton Public
D. V. VAN DRUVER, a citizen of Clinton some thirty years ago, committed suicide at Duquoin on Sunday October 14th, in a fit of mental aberration induced by financial troubles. When Van Druver lived in Clinton he carried on the marble business. After Buchanan was elected President he was appointed postmaster of Bloomington, although a resident of Clinton at the time. In the Presidential campaign of ’56 the Danites, as they were called, had no following in McLean county, and after the election Col. SNELL demanded the appointment of one of their number to the office of postmaster in Bloomington. He selected Van Druver and had him duly installed into office. The Bloomingtonians felt outraged at the idea of a Clinton man getting the best office in the town and they rebelled. However they could not oust Van Druver, so they spent their fury in burning him in effigy and in denouncing Buchanan’s administration. Little did Van Druver care for this little ebullition of temper; he had the office and the salary, and he held on to both till the close of Buchanan’s administration. Since that time Van Druver has occupied responsible positions in public life, having been at one time Grand Master of the Masonic order in Illinois.
James Douglas VAN NOTE
December 1943
Paper Unknown
Farmer City (PNS)—James Douglas VAN NOTE, 83, lifelong resident of Farmer City, died at 4 a.m. Tuesday at his home here. Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the Stensel funeral home. The Rev. Fred R. HARROLD will officiate. Burial will be in Greenleaf cemetery.
He was born in Mt. Pleasant, now Farmer City, Sept. 19, 1860, the only child of Ralph and Margaret Page VAN NOTE. On Sept. 19, 1887, he was married to Celia B. HOULIHAN. They were the parents of 10 children, three of whom preceded him in death: Ralph, Lawrence and Mrs. Sylvia BOSSERMAN. Surviving are his wife: the following children, Mrs. Jess NEWBERRY, Mrs. Madge SPARROW, and Chauncey V., all of Bloomington; James I., Melvindale, Mich.; Leota WYNN, Farmer City; Charles, Lansing, Mich.; Wilbur, Joliet.
Submitted by Mary (Meliza) Berg
Mrs. James Douglas VAN NOTE
September __, 1946
(Paper Unknown)
Funeral Wednesday For Mrs. Van Note.
FARMER CITY.—Funeral services for Mrs. Lucelia VAN NOTE, 78, who died of a heart attack at her home Sunday evening, will be Wednesday afternoon, the hour to be announced later, at Stensel's Funeral home with burial in Greenleaf cemetery, south of Farmer City. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward HOULIHAN, she was born March 4, 1868 in Farmer City. She was married to James VAN NOTE on Sept. 19, 1887. He died in December, 1943. A son, Chauncey VAN NOTE, died in June, 1946. The following children survive: Mrs. Jesse NEWBERRY and Mrs. Leota WYNN, Farmer City; Mrs. Madge SPARROW, Bloomington; Charles VAN NOTE, Lansing, Mich.; James C. VAN NOTE, Melvindale, Mich., and Wilbur VAN NOTE, Joliet.
Note: She died September 8, 1946, according to her tombstone.
Submitted by Mary (Meliza) Berg
Henry D. VICEROY
August 29, 1913
Clinton Register
AN AGED MAN DIES.
At the county farm at about 10 o'clock last Sunday morning occurred the death of Henry VICEROY at the age of 88 years. Deceased was admitted from Wapella township about eight years ago. Interment was at Long Point cemetery on Monday, short funeral services being conducted at the grave.
Note: He was buried at Sugar Grove Cemetery, not Long Point Cemetery, and his tombstone has the last name VICKEROY. His obituary has the name VICEROY; and the census records listed him as Henry VICKROY.
Andrew J. VINSON
February 21, 1908
Clinton Register
AT THREE SCORE AND TEN YEARS.
Aged Citizen of Clinton is Called to His Final Rest—
Burial Was Near His Old Home.
Andrew VINSON died about 3 o'clock Monday night at the home of his son John in the southwest part of the city, aged nearly 70 years, of cancer. He had been in failing health three or four years.
Andrew J. Vinson was the son of John and Nancy VINSON and was born in Waynesville township September 12, 1828, and this county had always been his home, except six years he lived in Missouri. He returned to this county and lived in Waynesville township until about twelve years ago when he and his wife moved to Clinton, and this city had since been his home. His wife died May 12, 1906. Her maiden name was Rhoda CISCO, and she was married to deceased September 12, 1849. He had long been a member of the Christian church, and often preached at the Rock Creek and other churches near his home. Politically he was always a Democrat and was often elected to township offices, serving several terms as justice of the peace. He served in Co. A 107th regiment in the Civil war, and was a member o the G. A. R. post of Clinton.
He is survived by the following children: Mrs. Sarah JONES and Amos, of Waynesville; Mrs. KRAFT, Mrs. Nancy LANE, Mrs. Mary WATSON and John and Samuel, of Clinton.
Funeral services were held yesterday morning in Rock Creek church at 11 o'clock. Burial in Rock Creek cemetery.
Riley VINSON
October 27, 1893
Clinton Public
Mr. Riley VINSON died at F. M. Cisco’s home last Friday. He was buried at the Rock Creek Cemetery on Saturday.
Sarah Alice VIRTS
July 16, 1880
Clinton Public
Weldon.
Miss Allie VIRTS died July 10th of typhus malarial fever and congestion of the brain.
Note: She was the daughter of Richard and Mary (Baker) Virts.
Margaret (POLLOCK) VOGELSONG
October 29, 1909
Clinton Register
DIED IN OKLAHOMA.
Mr. and Mrs. John POLLOCK returned from a visit with the former's sister, Mrs. Margaret VOGELSONG, at Candrid [Kendrick], Oklahoma, and the following day received a telegram giving the news of the sudden death of Mrs. Vogelsong. Deceased was a former resident of DeWitt county, but left here many years ago. She is survived by her husband and four children.